Florida Men’s Tennis Coach Resigns

FLORIDA MEN’S TENNIS COACH ANDY JACKSON ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After 11 seasons at the helm of the University of Florida, men’s tennis head coach Andy Jackson announced his resignation, effective immediately. A search for the Gators’ 10th men’s tennis head coach will begin immediately.

“I want to thank Jeremy Foley and the administration for the opportunity to lead this program for the last 11 years,” said Jackson. “I’m truly grateful for my time here and I hope to have the opportunity to coach again.”

Jackson took over coaching duties at Florida in June of 2001. After inheriting a team that went 9-17 the year before he arrived, Jackson went on to win a pair of SEC Championships (2003 and 2005) and runner-up showings (2004 and 2006) as well as two SEC Tournament crowns (2005 and 2011). The Gators advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 in 10 of his 11 seasons, including an appearance in the national semifinals in 2005.

Jackson was named the SEC coach of the Year in both 2002 and in 2005. Under his guidance eight players earned a combined 19 All-American honors, while 16 players earned 32 All-SEC honors in his time at Florida.

Jackson concludes his time at Florida with a 209-82 record (.718) and a 90-32 mark in SEC play (.738). He ranks third in school history in wins behind Bill Potter (415) and Ian Duvenhage (221). Jackson’s squads finished in the top 10 in the NCAA in 10 of his 11 years at Florida.

His athletes performed admirably in the classroom, as 24 different Gators earned a total of 46 SEC Academic Honor Roll mentions (2012 members still to come).

“I accept Andy’s resignation and want to thank him for his many contributions to our program and University during his time here at Florida” said University of Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley. “He has always conducted his program in a first-class manner and his student-athletes have always performed well in the classroom. Andy is one of the finest people I know and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

“Moving forward, our vision is that the University of Florida men’s tennis program can consistently be among the contenders for the SEC and national championships, and we’ll work deliberately to find a candidate who matches this vision.”

Prior to coaching at Florida Jackson spent 13 years as the head men’s coach at Mississippi State after spending five years as MSU’s women’s head coach. He compiled a 220-106 record as the men’s coach at Mississippi State, including a 100-59 mark in SEC play.

Jackson is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he lettered twice for the Wildcats and was the team captain in 1984 as a senior.

Florida just concluded its 2012 season with a 16-9 mark, 7-4 in SEC play and advanced to the round of 16 where the Gators fell to Ohio State.